Sharjah 24: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued Decree - Law No. (5) of 2023 regarding the reorganisation of the Sharjah Districts Affairs Department (SDAD).

The decree stipulated that the name of Sharjah Department of Suburbs and Villages Affairs (SDSVA) shall be replaced with the following name: “Department of Suburbs Affairs in the Emirate of Sharjah.”

According to the decree, the department shall have the legal personality and legal capacity necessary to achieve its objectives and exercise its powers. It shall be affiliated with the central government of Sharjah. The main headquarters of the department shall be in the city of Sharjah. It may, by decision of the Executive Council, establish branches or offices in the rest of the cities and regions of the emirate.

The Department of Suburbs Affairs in the Emirate of Sharjah shall aim to achieve the following:

1. To be a link between citizens and concerned parties to convey the citizen’s voice in the service, educational, health, cultural and social fields.
2. Strengthening the social cohesion and good neighbourly relations among residents of residential neighbourhoods.
3. Raising awareness and enhancing general societal culture.
4. Contributing to maintaining security, tranquility and human dignity in society.
5. Achieving the principle of community partnership between school, family and society.

According to the decree, in order to achieve its objectives, the department shall exercise the following powers:

1. Drawing up general policies, developing strategic plans, proposing legislation and regulations for the department and suburban councils, and presenting them to the Executive Council to decide what it deems appropriate.
2. Proposing the establishment of suburban councils and their scope of work, submitting proposals to the Ruler or Executive Council, and following up on their implementation with the relevant authorities.
3. Supervising suburban councils, approving their activities and programmes, and following up on the proper progress of work therein.
4. Working to implement the recommendations of the suburban councils and submit the necessary observations, proposals and recommendations to the Ruler or the Executive Council.
5. Holding periodic meetings of the suburb councils, or whenever necessary, to review all developments, discuss common topics, and make appropriate decisions regarding them.
6. Organising, hosting and participating in community events and activities in coordination with the relevant authorities.
7. Preparing research and studies on societal phenomena affecting residents of residential neighborhoods and on public facilities and services provided therein, in coordination with suburban councils and concerned authorities and submitting them to the Executive Council.
8. Coordinating between suburban councils and concerned parties to conduct studies to prevent crime in order to achieve a safe and stable environment.
9. Following up on the affairs of the families of deceased citizens in Sharjah.
10. Technical, administrative and financial supervision of the parents’ councils of male and female students in the cities and regions of Sharjah.
11. Concluding contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding and partnerships after being approved by the Executive Council.
12. Seeking the assistance of the relevant authorities to obtain administrative and technical support; and it may seek the assistance of experts, consultants, and specialised expert houses in everything related to its work to achieve its goals.
13. Any other powers assigned to the Department by the Ruler or Executive Council.

The decree also stipulates that the department shall have a head appointed by an Emiri decree who will be assisted by a sufficient number of employees in accordance with its organisational structure. The head shall have the necessary powers and authorities to manage the affairs of the department and take the necessary decisions to achieve its goals. The head shall perform the following in particular:
1. Proposing the general and strategic policies necessary to achieve the department’s objectives and presenting them to the Executive Council for approval or taking the necessary action regarding them.
2. Supervising the progress of work in the department in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations, issuing administrative decisions and following up on their implementation.
3. Following up on the implementation of plans, programmes and projects supervised by the department.
4. Preparing the annual budget and final accounts of the department in accordance with the procedures followed in this regard.
5. Signing contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships concluded by the department.
6. Forming permanent and temporary committees and work teams affiliated with the department and determining their terms of reference and work system.
7. Representing suburban councils before the Ruler and Executive Council.
8. Representing the department before the judiciary and government agencies and in its relations with others.
9. Delegating some of his powers or authorities to other employees of the department in accordance with the legislation in force in the emirate.
10. Any other tasks or powers assigned by the Ruler or Executive Council.

According to the decree, community councils will be established in the emirate, affiliated with the department technically, administratively, and financially. Their naming and formation will be issued by an Emiri decree. Suburban councils, according to their geographical and administrative scope, under the department’s supervision, shall be specialised in the following:
1. Monitoring and following up on the requests of residents in residential neighbourhoods, studying their needs for public services and facilities, and coordinating with the relevant authorities to meet their requests.
2. Participating in providing opinion and advice to the parties concerned with implementing service projects in residential neighbourhoods.
3. Coordinating with the relevant authorities to provide a safe environment, reduce disturbance in residential neighbourhoods, and prevent crime and social deviations.
4. Contributing to settling disputes between neighbours in residential neighbourhoods amicably in coordination with the relevant authorities in the emirate.
5. Contributing to resolving issues of persons wanted for security reasons from residents of residential neighbourhoods in coordination with the relevant authorities.
6. Promoting community cohesion and strengthening the bonds of social cohesion and good neighbourly relations among residents in residential neighbourhoods.
7. Organising awareness and community activities and programmes for residents of residential neighbourhoods and raising social and cultural awareness in coordination with the relevant authorities.
8. Reaching needy families in residential neighbourhoods and coordinating with the relevant authorities to provide for their needs.
9. Investing in the energies and skills of residents of residential neighbourhoods and harnessing them to serve their community.
10. Hosting events for residents of residential neighbourhoods in suburban councils.
11. Submiting suggestions, observations, complaints and recommendations.